Jig mechanism for installing doors and door frames



June 5, 1956 G. R. WILLIAMS 2,748,493

JIG MECHANISM FOR INSTALLING 0003s AND DOOR FRAMES I Filed Aug. 12, 1952 l6 5e 54 615 2 +s ?9 ,5 95

T552. I VENTQR GEORGE. Rwmum I NEYS United States Patent HG MECHANISM FOR INSTALLING DOORS AND DOOR FRAMES George R. Williams, Hayward, Calif.

Application August 12, 1952, Serial No. 303,857

6 Claims. (Cl. 33-194) This invention relates, in general to door installations, and more particularly, to a jig for facilitating installation and erection of door frames and their associated doors.

In conventional building construction, it is customary to construct openings in the wall structure for subsequent door installations. These openings are roughly framed, as by cripple studs in the sides thereof and by a header brace which are attached to the basic wall structure of the building. Heretofore, the door frame, consisting of two jamb pieces and a head piece, after being cut to proper size, was inserted into such an opening in the rough framing, and nailed thereto with shimming to provide for proper alignment and squaring up. Fi nally, the door was hung after likewise being cut to size, and the stops and trims added.

This system of door installation is slow, tedious and costly, as it requires the services of a highly skilled carpenter, and each installation presents a new problem in itself, and it is only by trial and error that the workman can eventually complete his construction.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide mechanism for rapidly erecting door frames and atfixing the doors thereto which is capable of use by persons having no particular skill or training in hanging doors. I

Another object of my invention is to provide a jig apparatus of the above character which will positively insure proper vertical positioning of the door frame and which will likewise insure a properly hung door.

A further object of this invention is to permit use of pre-cut door frames and a door assembly which may be erected and applied. to a wall structure with a minimum expenditure of time and effort.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a jig arranged to be inserted in a wall opening which is capable of receiving door frames and doors in their proper relationship, and which may accommodate a plurality of different size frames and doors.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawing accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawing and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to said drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of my new jig apparatus shown in operative position in a door opening.

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional side elevational view taken substantially in the plane indicated by the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially in the plane indicated by line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially in the plane indicated by line 4-4 of Figure l.

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Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially in the plane indicated by line 55 of Figure 1.

The jig of my invention is adapted to be placed in the wall opening which, in conventional frame construction, may include a series of wall studs 10-13 of the basic wall structure in which the studs 10 and 13 are full length and extend from floor to ceiling, and the cripple studs 11 and 12 extend part of the distance from ceiling to floor and are footed on the header brace 14 which is nailed between the studs 10 and 13, thereby providing in general dimensions, the door opening 15. There may also be provided cripple studs 16 nailed to studs 10 and 13 and upon the ends of which the header brace 14 rests, constituting a supplementary reinforcing frame 18 to compensate for the partial omission of studs 11 and 12.

Generally, as the reinforcing frame just described is of somewhat excessive dimensions, to properly accommodate the door, a rough frame 19 fitting roughly within the frame 18 is constructed, and quite closely defines the opening. 15 in the wall structure to which the door frame is applied.

Within the rough frame 19, the door frame 2t, consisting of two jamb pieces 21 and 22 and a header piece 23, is supposed to be afiixed, and as will be understood, it is of the utmost importance that the door frame be properly aligned and positioned, as this frame ultimately determines the final door opening. Heretofore, the jambs and headers were cut on the job and after being shimmed up, were secured to the rough frame members. With the jig of my invention the jarnbs and header may be prefabricated and assembled, and installed in a manner presently to be described.

For convenience in handling and operation, my jig is preferably constructed of a pair of portions, generally indicated by the numerals 26 and 27 respectively, which, in their assembled relation, provide a rectangular framework of a size just smaller than that of the door frame.

Portion 26 includes a vertically extending structural element 28, here shown as a T-section, and a horizontally extending similar element 29 secured to the upper end of element 28 and disposed at right angles thereto. Element 29 terminates at 31, and to insure maintenance of the perpendicular relationship between the elements, one or more angular bracing plates 32 may be utilized.

Portion 27 is slightly different from portion 26, and comprises a vertical T-section element 33 and a short perpendicular extension 34. As is known, there are several so-called standard widths for doors, and therefore the horizontal spacing between elements 28 and 33 must be provided for in some manner. This could be accomplished in several Ways, such as by telescoping the horizontal members 29 and 34, but I prefer to utilize a gauging member 36, to set the aforesaid horizontal spacing. As will be best seen in Figures 1 and 4, this member includes a pair of parallel plates 37 adapted to span the distance between the distal ends 31 and 38 of elements 29 and 34 respectively, and like in contiguous relationship to the respective flanges 39 and 41 of'such members. The plates are secured together as by rivets 42 and at one end thereof are secured to flange 41 as by countersunk screws 43 or the like. At the other end thereof, a plurality of spaced apertures 44 are provided selectively registerable with an aperture 46 in flange 39, whereby a pin 47 may be inserted therethrough, and key the member 36 to element 29. In this manner, by inserting the pin through various ones of the member apertures 44, a plurality of horizontal spacings between elements 28 and 33 willbe provided.

While the foregoing will properly position all of the elements, it is desirable to have a further horizontal brace 48 between the vertical elements intermediate the ends thereof. Here too, this brace must be capable of axial adjustment for various door sizes. Brace 48 includes a yoke 49 secured to the flange 51 of element 33 and a sleeve member 52 pivotally secured to the yoke end by a pin 53, Sleeve 52 telescopically receives a cylindrical extension 54 having a bifurcated distal end 56 which engages both sides of the flange 57 of element 28 when the brace is in its horizontal bracing position. To prevent rotation of the brace downwardly beyond a horizontal position, a lug 58 may be secured to flange 57 to engage brace end 56. Extension 54 is provided with a plurality of apertures 59 selectively registerable with an aperture 61 formed in sleeve 52 whereby the sleeve and extension may be secured together in selected positions of axial adjustment by means of a pin 62 and thereby, together with member 36, fix the spacing between elements 28 and 33.

In use, the door frame is first loosely placed in the rough frame opening, and jig portion 26 is then inserted in the door frame. As the thickness of flooring may vary, in order to properly position the element 29, I provide a vertical adjustment screw 66 which passes through a foot plate 67 secured to the lower end of element 23. A nut 68 placed on the upper surface of plate 67 receives screw 66, and a spring 69 is disposed between the lower surface of the plate and the screw head. in this manner, the spring will forcibly urge the plate against the nut, and by relatively rotating the screw and nut, the element 28 will be selectively raised or lowered. The spring has a further function in permitting removal of the jig as will be later explained.

The jig portion 26 will intimately engage the inner surface of jamb 21 and a portion of the header 23, and the same is positioned so as to allow a space of approximately one-half inch between the jamb and header and their respective adjacent rough frame members. The bottom clamp, generally denoted by the numeral 71 is then secured to the rough frame member in the following manner. As will be best seen in Figures 1 and 3, the bottom clamp 71 and top clamp 72 are mounted on element 2S and includes a U-shaped portion 73 substantially completely encompassing the flange 57, and laterally extending arms 74. The distal ends of arms 74 are suitably apertured to receive pins 76 which also engage clamp members 77 and pivotally support the same. As will be seen, clamp members 77 engage the outer edges of jamb 21 and are sufliciently long to extend to the rough frame members. However, as the width of the jamb 21 will vary, depending on the type of wall surface to be provided, the spacing between clamp members '77 will vary. Therefore, a plurality of clamps of different dimensions will be provided with the jig to accommodate different size jambs. A wing nut 73, engageable with a bolt 29 secures the two clamp members in parallel spaced relation, and to properly center the clamps on the rough frame, equal spacers 81 may be inserted between the rough frame and each of the clamp members 77.

With the lower clamp in proper position, a nail 82 may be driven through an aperture provided in members 77, releasably securing the clamp to rough frame 19, and the jig may then be moved until both of the water bubble levels 83 and 84 show the jig to be squared away. The upper clamp 72 may then be similarly nailed to rough frame 19, and to immobilize the jig thereto, screws 86 may be passed through the clamp members into such rough frame. After the jig portion 36 is releasably secured to the rough frame as aforesaid, wedges 87 may be driven between jarnb 21 and rough frame 19, and the jamb may be then secured to the frame by driving finishing nails through suitable apertures 88 provided at spaced points along element 28.

At this time, jig portion 27 may be secured to portion 26 by means of pins 47 and 62, assuming of course, that gauging member 36 and the telescopic extension 54 are first properly set to position jig element 33. The lower end of element 33 is spaced above the floor level, and,

if desirable, an adjustment screw 89 may be used to reach from the bottom plate 91 of the element to the floor, although by means on the gauging member and extension 54, element 33 will be positively positioned in parallel spaced relation to element 28. Wedges may then be driven between jamb 22 and the rough framing, nailed in place through apertures in the'web of element 33, and similar wedges driven between the header piece 23 and the rough frame and likewise nailed.

From the foregoing description, it will be clear that the jamb is now positioned within the rough door frame, and irrespective ofany irregularities in the latter, the door frame 20 will be true. The hanging of a door 92 on frame 20 is then a relatively simple matter.

It is well known that doors may be designed to swing open in either direction from a door frame, and with the jig of my invention, provision is made to install a door for either of said swinging motions. ecured to vertically spaced portions of element 28, such as by screws 93 passing through the web thereof, is an upper and lower bracket 94, each comprising a pair of outwardly directed U-shaped holders 96. The door 92 is arranged to be inserted into a vertically aligned pair of holders, and the upper bracket is so positioned relative to door frame 2% that when the door is moved along the holders until the top of the door is flush with the upper edge surface of the upper bracket, the door will be in proper relative position' The door is then releasably retained in this position by means of clamping screws 97 provided on the holders, and as will be understood, the selection of one or the other of the holders in each bracket depends on which direction the door will swing to its open position. In place of screws 97, the door could be wedged or otherwise secured.

After the door is so positioned, the butt hinges used for mounting the door on the jamb may be easily aflixed, and as the door frame and door were both set on a single "g, the conventional cut-out portions on the inner edge of the door and on the jamb will automatically be in alignment. To facilitate installation of such hinges, the web of element 28 as well as the flange 57 thereof is notched as indicated at 98 and 99 respectively. In this manner, the hinges may be aflixed, and the door hung while the jig is still in operative position.

To remove the jig, pins 47 and 62 are removed, and the spreader 52, 54 is rotated upwardly to engage a spring clip 101 which holds the spreader against element 33. Jig portion 27 may then be moved downwardly and rotated to the left (as viewed in Figure 1) and removed, and in this connection, it will be noted that the upper right hand bevel 100 of portion 27 permits such rotary movement. Portion 26 may then be removed by forcing the same downwardly against spring 69, and pulling the same out. Of course, prior to this latter step, nails 82 and screws 86 are removed, and screws 87 released.

From the foregoing, it is believed clear that I have provided a simple mechanism which may be produced at a relatively low cost and which will greatly expedite proper installation of door assemblies.

I claim:

1. A jig for facilitating installation of door frames and doors therefor in a wall opening, including a pair of vertically extending parallel spaced members, a horizontal header member traversing said vertical members and secured to the upper ends thereof, means for adjustably positioning the vertical position of said vertical members, means mounted on one of said vertical members and having a portion extending outwardly therefrom for engagement with an outer surface of said wall whereby said portion and said vertical member may be releasably secured to said wall, and means on one of said vertical members for releasably holding a door in predetermined relationship to such members.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said each of said vertical members, and means for releasably securing said elements in selected positions of relative movement whereby said vertical members may be selectively brought towards and from each other.

3. A jig for installation of door frames and doors therefor in a wall opening, comprising a pair of vertically extending parallel spaced members, means secured to the upper ends of said members for securing the members together in selected positions of horizontal spacing therebetween, means for releasably securing said jig to said Wall including a horizontally disposed extension plate engageable with an outer surface of said Wall, means in said plate for releasably securing the latter to said wall surface, door supporting means including a pair of vertically spaced brackets mounted on one of said vertical members arranged to slidably receive inner edge portions of a door in selected positions of vertical adjustment, means for releasably securing a door to said brackets, and means defining openings in said latter mentioned vertical member through which hinges may be secured to the door frame and door.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which said door supporting means includes a pair of vertically spaced brackets extending normal to the general plane of said jig disposed on each side of the latter, and each of said brackets having a generally U-shaped cross-sectional form.

5. A jig for installation of door frames and doors therefor in a wall having an opening therein for receiving said frame, comprising a pair of vertically extending parallel spaced members, means releasably securing the upper ends of said members together in selected spaced relation,

screw means adjacent the lower end of one of said members, a pair of vertically spaced U-shaped brackets on one of said members adapted to overlie opposed surfaces of said Wall adjacent said opening, means on said brackets for releasably securing the same to said surfaces, door support means on one of said members including a pair of vertically spaced U-shaped brackets arranged to slidably receive longitudinal edge portions of a door, and means for releasably holding said door in said brackets.

6. A jig of the character described comprising a pair or vertically extending parallel spaced members, each of said members having a general T-shaped cross-sectional form with the flanges thereof directed inwardly and towards each other, a horizontal header member secured to the upper ends of said vertical members, a pair of vertically spaced brackets mounted on one of said vertical members and having parallel spaced plates arranged to overlie opposed wall surfaces for releasably securing the same to such wall, a pair of vertically spaced brackets on one of said members for receiving the longitudinal edge portions of a door, and said latter one member further having openings in web and flange portions thereof whereby hinges may be respectively secured to said door and to a door frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 751,050 Bronk Feb. 2, 1904 1,101,517 Ahlvin June 30, 1914 1,687,532 Waltke Oct. 16, 1928 1,917,239 Chester July 11, 1933 

